China says pay any price to stop Taiwan statehood

[Midav]

China Says Pay Any Price to Stop Taiwan Statehood
Mon May 24, 2004 05:54 AM ET

But China's leaders have not relented in their war of words against Chen since the speech, deriding him as a slippery politician in state media editorials.
"We noticed that although under great pressure from all sides Chen did not give a timetable for constitutional revisions, he did use some vague phrases about territory and sovereignty in his speech which carry a foreshadowing of Taiwan independence later," Zhang said in the first official reaction on Monday.

Beijing would protect its territorial unity above all else, including the Olympic Games which it hosts in 2008, he said.

"If Chen Shui-bian dares to challenge the people of the world...we will safeguard our sovereignty and territorial integrity at any cost," he said when asked if China would be willing to risk the Olympics over Taiwan.

The United States last week welcomed Chen's speech as "responsible and constructive" for avoiding an immediate showdown with China and added it created an opportunity for the two rivals to resume dialogue.

But China told Washington not to be deceived.

After the independence-leaning Chen's first inauguration in 2000, Beijing said it would listen to his words and watch his actions.

Four years on, China made a pre-emptive declaration ahead of the inauguration, threatening to crush any moves toward independence.

But there was no sign that Chen was willing to alter course, Zhang said.

"For such a faithless man, we do not care what he says. The key is what he does, which road he would choose," he said. "He is riding near the edge of the cliff, and there is no sign that he is going to rein in his horse."

© ******* 2004. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.*******.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=4MMZP25BPG0DWCRBAELCFFA?type=worldNews&storyID=5234382&pageNumber=1

[J-10]

Chen still a threat to Straits peace

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-05/25/content_333383.htm

Powell reiterates US one-China support



(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-05-23 13:45

The United States Secretary of State Colin Powell Sunday reiterated in a phonetalk with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing that the US side will abide by the One-China policy on the Taiwan issue.

Resources from the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing was invited to talk over phone with Powell on Sunday, and the two sides exchanged views on the Iraq issue which is being discussed by the UN Security Council and other issues of Sino-US relations.

During the phonetalk, the US side reiterated to abide by the one-China policy and the three Sino-US joint communiques on the Taiwan issue.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-05/23/content_333003.htm


Powell: No Support for Taiwan Independence
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2004)
http://www.china.org.cn/english/2004/Mar/89161.htm

[Midav]

The US stance has always been iffy, otherwise Taiwan would be its own country...

What Powell said is one thing, yet the US Congress has passed a motion supporting Taiwan's participation in the WHO, against China's objections...

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200405/11/eng20040511_142979.html

However, the question remains, should Taiwan go independant, how far would either side go?

[Grimmer]

Would/Could china pull off military response against taiwan if taiwan would declare independence?

Would they be willing to demolish their economic and political wealth for pride?

I believe not, as the power of money is more powerfull than some loony talks of communist leaders. I wouldnt be suprised if some PLA generals would do coup in order to preserve peace in Asia. This way china could drop all hostility towards taiwan and preserve their "face".

What do you guys think?

[ronin2172]

Would/Could china pull off military response against taiwan if taiwan would declare independence?

Would they be willing to demolish their economic and political wealth for pride?

I believe not, as the power of money is more powerfull than some loony talks of communist leaders. I wouldnt be suprised if some PLA generals would do coup in order to preserve peace in Asia. This way china could drop all hostility towards taiwan and preserve their "face".

What do you guys think?
As long as the USA maintains a credible presence in the region China is not gonna do anything. In terms of Naval Power china doesn't have the moxie to mess with the US. Now if the US was to remove any and all military support for Taiwan completely (those carrier battle groups and 688 class subs r awfully intimidating)....then all bets would be off.

[Lt_Crooks]

no i dont think that the chinese will take any military action, i think their words will get taiwan to do what they want , Plus i dont think taiwan will try to claim independence anytime soon

[J-10]

Plus i dont think taiwan will try to claim independence anytime soon

I think so and hope so personally.

[2RHPZ]

http://www.uscc.gov/researchreports/2004/04fisher_report/04_01_01fisherreport.htm

[Nizark]

China talking about military action against Taiwan, is just plain silly. China and Taiwan are linked big time with trade, and through straight military means, China couldn't invade the island, nor hold it for any period of time. They have very little amphib troop transports, unless they use civilian boats, but then everyone would know something is up. Airlift is the same situation. AND, by attacking Taiwan, US would get involved militarily, and through that, the troops in Japan and maybe s. korea would be on alert and ready to be used. China is sabre rattling with a dull blade

[fdt]

Chen still a threat to Straits peace

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-05/25/content_333383.htm

Powell reiterates US one-China support



(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-05-23 13:45

The United States Secretary of State Colin Powell Sunday reiterated in a phonetalk with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing that the US side will abide by the One-China policy on the Taiwan issue.

Resources from the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing was invited to talk over phone with Powell on Sunday, and the two sides exchanged views on the Iraq issue which is being discussed by the UN Security Council and other issues of Sino-US relations.

During the phonetalk, the US side reiterated to abide by the one-China policy and the three Sino-US joint communiques on the Taiwan issue.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-05/23/content_333003.htm


Powell: No Support for Taiwan Independence
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2004)
http://www.china.org.cn/english/2004/Mar/89161.htm
Peaceful rice... at any price...

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Plus i dont think taiwan will try to claim independence anytime soon

I think so and hope so personally.

Do you mean you hope that Taiwan will never be independent? Or do you just oppose Taiwan independance because you're worried about a war?

They've had their own government, society, economy, and values for 50 years now. They are now China in name only. The society there shares none of Communist China's values. Should they not be an independent state if they want to?

Even in the US, any of the "united states" may petition to leave the union. Shouldn't Taiwan's citizens be able to do the same?

If they try to leave, would it be right for China to begin to kill the people of Taiwan in an effort to stop their leaving? How many of Taiwan's people should they kill in order to keep them?

I just wonder how long this name game can go on. It's become silly.

[duck]

Plus i dont think taiwan will try to claim independence anytime soon

I think so and hope so personally.

Do you mean you hope that Taiwan will never be independent? Or do you just oppose Taiwan independance because you're worried about a war?

They've had their own government, society, economy, and values for 50 years now. They are now China in name only. The society there shares none of Communist China's values. Should they not be an independent state if they want to?

Even in the US, any of the "united states" may petition to leave the union. Shouldn't Taiwan's citizens be able to do the same?

If they try to leave, would it be right for China to begin to kill the people of Taiwan in an effort to stop their leaving? How many of Taiwan's people should they kill in order to keep them?

I just wonder how long this name game can go on. It's become silly.

And think of all those poor Taiwanese graduates having to work on the Mainland 'cause they earn better money there.

[Kilgor]

Its just commie sabre rattling ...

Seriously someone should tell them this sort of **** ended with the cold war.

[Resevoir Hogs]

Nizark says

China couldn't invade the island, nor hold it for any period of time. They have very little amphib troop transports, unless they use civilian boats, but then everyone would know something is up. Airlift is the same situation.

Do you have any numbers on Chinese expeditionary forces?


US would get involved militarily

Lets hope it never comes to that. Although I'm all for defending freedom, going to war with another nuclear power is not in our interest. Survival of humanity is more important than freedom when it comes to nuclear stand offs.

[seruriermarshal]

:lol:

[786mine]

It would be foolish of Taiwan to form an Independent country. It just will not happen and if it does, China will use its military muscle. You all must remember that honor is very sacred in the chinese culture. And Taiwan not following the One-China policy would be a dis-honor to the mainland. Regarding the comments of one of our members that Taiwan has been wanting freedom for over 50 years, well there are other cases where the want to be independent is more than that.

[Kilgor]

I think taiwan should stir some **** up around the time of the olympics.

when the worlds eyes are on china.

[Vintendo]

There is no way China can pull off a sucessful occupation of Taiwan without heavy heavy losses.

[mocking_loudly_died]

There is no way China can pull off a sucessful occupation of Taiwan without heavy heavy losses.

I don't think China would give a **** about heavy losses considering the amount of disposable people there.

[Midav]

yup

[Kilgor]

Putting politics aside though, any conflict in the region would have a major impact on the vital pacifc rim economy, its one conflict that I dont wannta see happen.

:(